Wednesday, April 30, 2025
4/30/2025
Drug Free Community Coalition Project for Salina, OK - Originally called Grand Saline, later known as the Old Salt Wells and now present-day Salina, Oklahoma, is located in Mayes County. Established in 1796, it is the Oldest Permanent White (European-American) Settlement in Oklahoma. In 1803 the United States took possession of the land which was included in the Louisiana Purchase and later the area became part of what is known as “Indian Territory.” By 1917 keelboats were landing goods at Salina from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and in that year Chouteau’s son Auguste Pierre received an exclusive license from the Spanish to trade with the Osage. But in 1820 the Spanish took the monopoly away, so Chouteau convinced the Osage tribe to migrate into Indian Territory. By the mid-1820s Chouteau led the most influential trading operation in present Oklahoma. In 1838 the government began moving the Cherokees to the area in implementation of the Indian Removal Act, and there is still a large percentage of Cherokee Nation citizens living in the area today. With a total population of 1,210 people, the town of Salina is comprised of 52% White, 25% American Indians, 23% two or more races, and the rest are Asian, Native Hawaiian, and African Americans (census.gov, 2018 estimates). There are 950 adults (257 are Senior Citizens) and the rest are youth. A very small town, Salina spans just over one mile. The average household income in Salina is $48,139 with a poverty rate of 19.93% compared to the state rate of 15%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $679 per month, and the median house value is $83,400. The current unemployment rate is 10%, compared to the state’s rate of 3.3% The small area provides little opportunity for employment, with the Salina AMO Health Center for Native American citizens serving as the largest employer and the school next in line. The town also houses one Dollar General store and a grocery store, as well as a handful of gas stations and mom & pop style restaurant options. The lack of employment options contributes to the substance abuse issues within the community. Additionally, the number of adults over age 25 who graduated from high school is only 43.58%, with less than 10% of the adult population attaining an Associate’s Degree or higher. The student body population demographics looks somewhat different than the overall population. During the 2019-20 school year, 67% of the students were Native American, with 32% identifying as Caucasian, and the rest being either Black, Hispanic, or two or more races. 57% of the student population qualify for free or reduced lunches. Students in Salina have extremely limited healthy entertainment options, mostly limited to school sponsored activities. Poverty is generational in this area, with minimal opportunities to escape. Without public transportation, many students and adults alike are limited in resources, job availability, and entertainment options. Lack of public transportation is also a huge contributing factor to families continuing to repeat generational poverty. Salina is home to Lake Hudson; however, it is more of a local lake and not viewed as a tourist lake. Since the lake is the only entertainment option outside of school sponsored activities, it also serves as a central party location for youth and contributes to youth substance abuse and misuse in the community.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).